Oh the weather outside is delightful, but it soon will turn to frightful

Before the ride, we're getting ready for some wonderful weather and looking forward to our ride.




I think that's how the song goes... maybe not. I like this version better. Today was SO nice outside. Can I just say that again? Today was SOOOOO nice outside (I added extra O's because it was just that nice). High was in the upper 60's. Crazy, but wonderfully welcomed weather.

This afternoon I met a good friend, Kat, and a new friend, Rae, and we rode around Lake Hefner for about an hour. What a beautiful day to be outside!!!! The wind was calm, the sun was warm, the sky was clear, and I loved every minute of it. It couldn't be more perfect for December.
I enjoyed meeting a peppy new woman, Rae, and I also learned that Rae is secretly planning to do a major triathlon this year. How exciting!! Like Kat said, I'll live vicariously through Rae. I'll enjoy all her progress without having to do all the training (training that hard is icky and I've become far too lazy to do that again). I love when people are new to triathlon- makes me get excited about it all over again. Woo hoo for Rae!

Today I had my final check up for my hand with the Doc. All is well on the palm front. No more frankenpalm. Let the healing begin! I even rode without any numbness today in my right hand. That's NEVER happened before. Now, lefty complained a bit and I told him to "shut it", but righty was happy as a clam (how happy are clams anyway?).

Tomorrow I give blood for the first time in about 4 months. I wanted to conserve blood before the surgery (ok, I was just too lazy to go), and I had to wait a couple weeks after (ok, again I was just too lazy to go), so I'm very excited about bleeding for a good cause again. I love to donate, and since my weight isn't preventing me I go whenever I can. I've never been turned away for being underweight, although when I was really skinny they were kind enough to ask if I was at least 110 pounds. Ha! They don't ask anymore. :)

More to come later.

Love to all my family...

Merry Christmas

Today was a great day! The first two pictures are of our trip down to Meeker for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner with the whole family. The sunset was just beautiful (I'm really growing to appreciate all the beauty around me like I never have before in my life). The second picture is of Cookie looking anxiously out the window during the entire 45 minute drive. She hasn't had this much energy in years.

Christmas morning Rian and I woke up to do a short run (a measly 2 miles for me, 4 for Rian). It was brrrrrrr cold, and not super pleasant, but the sky was clear and the sun was shining. After we returned back to his mom's house, we had breakfast and opened presents. The third pic is of Brent's dog, Ranger, getting his nails trimmed with the new PediPaws contraption "as seen on TV." It worked OK, but getting a 130 lb dog to lay still and not fidget was quite the ordeal. Roger fed him crackers, while Brent trimmed and Rian played with back feet. I laughed a lot!

Christmas was good. I'm a blessed woman. The only thing that could make it better is a beach, some ocean and some warm weather.... oh the beach...

Merry Christmas everyone!

Happy Merry Christmas Eve

Wow- time sure has flown by lately! I can't believe it's Christmas Eve. I've been enjoying some time away from school, and doing lots of laying around in my pj's until noon. Life is good...
Tonight we're off to Grandma and Grandpa Brown's to have some family Christmas time. We'll spend the night at R's parents' house and then come home tomorrow afternoon. I think we'll take Cookie (our Cocker Spaniel- see huge picture above). She's about 13-14 yrs old and she's not doing great. She's going deaf, is losing her sight, and has trouble getting around some days. I think we'll take her to see her grandparents one more time. I dread the day when we have to make the decision to have her put to sleep. It'll be a tough one.

Wow- that was kind of "Debbie Downer" for a Christmas Eve post. I'm thankful for my family and friends for providing me with laughter, companionship, and support this past year. I've had a good year. Each day is a blessing, although I just lounge some away without really relishing them. I'm a lucky lady.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

The crazy Christmas house

So today we were in Edmond visiting some friends, and on the way home we decide to drive by the "Crazy Christmas house." Note: that is not the official name of this house, but one that we've given it. These people spend a ridiculous amount of money to decorate their house for Christmas. Rumor has it they spend something like $50,000 to have it decorated (and that rumor is probably right since the source is reliable). Is that insane or what? Some people have WAY too much money. Then again, I know thousands of people drive by each year, and I'm sure it brings happiness to many. Happiness and joy doesn't have a price tag.

Each tree and bush is decorated fully. EVERY INDIVIDUAL BRANCH IS WRAPPED IN LIGHTS. Yeah, you read that right. It's insane to look at. Sunglasses are almost required.

Anywho- that's the extent of my holiday cheer this year. That is all for now.

See ya. :)

I think I might have been abducted

I guess I should post more often, eh? I don't know where I've been for the last 3 weeks, but I think I've been hiding. Really, I've been just trying to make it to Christmas break without killing any kids (and some days that's been harder than others). :)

Nothing new to report. My hand is healing nicely. It's still very sensitive, but hey- some guy cut it open and slit my tendon. It's supposed to be a little tender.

One more week of school. We're supposed to have ice on M-Th, so we might be out for a day or two. I could always use a break before a break. :)

Happy Thanksgiving, and Happy Birthday Mom

Today is a double shot. It's Thanksgiving and Mom's birthday. I won't disclose how young she is (you know, Mom), but she's younger than I'll be at that age. I think she might be younger than I am at my age...
Today was a great day. We went down to Meeker to the family farm for a Thanksgiving feast. Good food and good conversation was had by all. I took a 30 min. walk down the country road after lunch to try to settle the food. Too bad my asthma decided to come for a walk with me. Oh well- breathing is for the wimpy. The picture of the sky was taken on my walk. The clouds were so pretty today.
My wrist is healing up nicely. I get the stitches out on Tuesday. I'm SO excited. I can't wait to shower that hand (I've been cleaning it gently, but I can't get it wet). I can use both hands now, although I probably use the hurt hand more than I should. I may be getting a scolding from the surgeon on Tuesday. Bad, me.

I guess that's all. It was a wonderful day. Wish I could have spent it with some of my family, but that's just not an option. I'll think of them and know they are with me even if not in person.

Love to all.
Happy Birthday, Mom!

I'm off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of the Farmer's Market

I think that's how the song goes, huh?????

Today I went to the local farmer's market for the first time. I know it's winter, and there's not much of a selection, but I wanted to go check it out. It's pretty nice, albeit a little small (but it's winter- what do you expec?). I picked up some green beans, broccoli, tomatoes, fresh eggs, and a gigantic cucumber. I'll definitely go back in the spring/summer when fruits will be out and the selection is much larger. I enjoyed the atmosphere, and really felt like I was helping out my local community, rather than just shopping at the store where my groceries come from thousands of miles away. I rather enjoyed myself!!

The picture if from our front yard. As I was pulling out, I noticed how beautiful the red bush was against the green pine tree. So stunning- even in the winter when most everything is dying. Beauty is all around.

I'm feeling pretty good since the surgery. I've taken a few pain killers (the heavy narcotic kind), and they've worked well. Then again, so has the Aleve. My wrist is swollen, black and blue, and breaking out in hives. It's lovely. My poor body is trying to figure out what it did to deserve this.

I'm getting very droopy eyed right now. Time for rest. Take care!